~ Building strong, joy-filled marriages

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The Need

The well-being of the individual person and of human and Christian society is intimately linked with the healthy condition of that community produced by marriage and family.[1]

Pope Paul VI issued this prophetic message in the Vatican II document, Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World (Gaudium et Spes), on December 7, 1965. At a time when the world was fraught with rapid change and traditional values were being questioned, and often jettisoned as being “old fashioned,” the Church offered its service to guide humanity to true meaning and happiness. Divorce was rapidly rising, children born out of wedlock were increasing and traditional family life and moral values were under attack. Forty-five years later the assault on families has escalated, leaving broken children and parents in its wake.

Marriage is under attack. Satan, knowing that he has been defeated by the blood of Christ, is seeking to destroy that which is nearest to God’s heart, the family. The Great Deceiver has convinced countless individuals that the Church’s teaching on marriage and sexuality is outdated and only seeks to deny sexual freedom.

The proponents of sexual freedom promise happiness and fulfillment. Is this the case? Jesus told us that prophets would be known by their fruits.

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. So by their fruits you will know them. Matthew 7:15-20 NAB

The fruits of sexual freedom are evident. Divorce, cohabitation, single parent families headed by women, drug and alcohol abuse among minors, teenage sexual experimentation and abortion, sexually transmitted diseases, violence and lawlessness are rising exponentially. Broken parents and children are left in the wake of the destruction of the family. The only hope for society is to return to the teachings of the Catholic Church regarding the sacrament of marriage. True happiness is only found in obeying God and His commands.